The Lebanese American University has achieved a new milestone in its 100-year history with the conversion of its academic center in New York into a branch campus, as per the Board of Regents of the State of New York’s approval on March 12.

LAU New York, strategically located in midtown Manhattan, may now confer master’s and bachelor’s degrees. This landmark decision paves the way for the registration of five cutting-edge programs tailored to the needs of the global job market: An in-person BS in International Business and four master’s programs to be offered online and in person, namely MBA in Business Analytics, MBA in Global Business Administration, MS in Computer Science, and MS in Applied Artificial Intelligence.

“Through this move,” said LAU President Michel E. Mawad, “we are expanding the boundaries of higher education, and forging a path toward a future where cross-cultural exchange, experiential learning and global connectivity are seamlessly woven into the fabric of our academic excellence.”

This groundbreaking achievement unlocks a multitude of opportunities for LAU, enabling the university to offer a host of degree and certificate programs in support of learners in New York and around the world.

LAU’s students in the MENA and their counterparts in New York will benefit from an enriched learning experience centered on cultural exchange and the forging of stronger links between Lebanon and the United States. LAU, which is a leader in offering US-style education in Lebanon, will now have the opportunity to facilitate the flow of knowledge, ideas, and opportunities bidirectionally.

In terms of in-person education, LAU New York is poised to launch a BS in International Business program in September 2025. This cutting-edge program embraces the true meaning of international by featuring classes that will run simultaneously between LAU New York and LAU’s other campuses, fostering significant cultural and educational exchange. Additionally, this program opens up exciting opportunities for local New York students to spend a semester or more on the university’s Lebanon campuses, further amplifying the international learning experience.

LAU’s online programs will be strategically relocated to LAU New York. This move will allow for access to world-class instructors from the professional and academic landscape of New York City, while continuing the partnerships with LAU’s Beirut and Byblos campuses, thereby transcending geographical boundaries.

The branch campus registration will qualify LAU New York to follow through with a special certification (SEVP) which would facilitate “student or exchange” visas (Form I-20) in the future. It will also enable LAU’s US students to apply for federal grants, greatly enhancing their access to education. This will also facilitate authorizations for optional practical training, allowing for internships in the USA for students who spend one year or more studying at LAU New York, greatly increasing skilling and employability prospects.

LAU will also open up exchange programs enabling Lebanon-based students to spend a semester or more at LAU New York, immersing themselves in the cultural, educational, and professional scenes of the world’s most diverse city.

“These exchanges are core to the current educational needs of students, offering a truly international experience from LAU, and very differentiated employability prospects,” said Dr. Barbar Akle, associate provost and executive director of LAU New York, adding that this momentous change solidifies the institution’s status as a global university.